yeah, I made a real basic assumption that anyone who can afford an M3 went to college. obviously that is not the case for everyone.

*edit - BTW there is a difference between owning an M3 and being able to "afford" it!

Yeah, I think it's safe to assume there are quite a few m3 owners who did not go to college and probably make a fair amount more than those that did go to college. Although the vast majority of owners went to college as that was the smart thing to do ;-)

I'm 23 and recently graduated, I started my career in economic consulting and am making good money for my age (~70k) with absolutely no expenses (live at home, no debt). However it is still hard for me to swallow the cost of even a USED M3. I've been seeing all these threads about kids just finishing college and expecting to buy an M3 out of college, most of them are just not thinking realistically. Spending a large portion of your salary (assuming you find a half-way decent job) on a depreciation asset is just about the worst thing you can do straight out of college.

Very correct. The job market is drastically different than 2007 when coming out college, jobs were everywhere. I graduated with a finance degree in 2008 during the middle of a financial melt-down and ended up working in restaurant. I actually made decent money doing that, but obviously not satisfying. So now I have my own company.

But my sister is now just graduating and my parents keep pushing her to get a job! get a job! deterring her from the more feasible option of a paid internship which is sort of the best many can do right now.

Yeah, I think it's safe to assume there are quite a few m3 owners who did not go to college and probably make a fair amount more than those that did go to college. Although the vast majority of owners went to college as that was the smart thing to do ;-)

... and the ones who went to college will generally make more in the long term.

Jive is spot on. Even first year analysts where I work who make well over six figures in their first year out of undergrad do not purchase M3's because they are fiscally conservative. A car should never be more than a 1/3rd of your annual comp, better yet, less than a 1/4 or a 1/6.

... and the ones who went to college will generally make more in the long term.

Jive is spot on. Even first year analysts where I work who make well over six figures in their first year out of undergrad do not purchase M3's because they are fiscally conservative. A car should never be more than a 1/3rd of your annual comp, better yet, less than a 1/4 or a 1/6.

So are you saying that anyone who chooses to by a 70k car SHOULD be making at least 210k a year? That doesnt sound right to me at all.

I am buying my home, have other paid off vehicles, have all the 401k investment crap, virtually no revolving debt, and I afford my car very well even though I am ONLY making ~95k-100k a year. I also afforded my 335i quite well back when I was only making 60k a year. I think it just depends on what you choose to spend your money on. I have people ask me all the time how I do it and I tell then that I dont smoke, and I dont even really drink much either. Not doing those two things can save you allot of money in the long run.

... and the ones who went to college will generally make more in the long term.

Jive is spot on. Even first year analysts where I work who make well over six figures in their first year out of undergrad do not purchase M3's because they are fiscally conservative. A car should never be more than a 1/3rd of your annual comp, better yet, less than a 1/4 or a 1/6.

Just turned 25 two weeks ago. Got my m3 when I was 22, prior to that I had a 335i that I purchased when I was 20..

Make 10k+ a month, self employed in the mortgage business, no degree. Just sales skills.

Obviously this isn't anything to brag about and nor am I trying too. But I just want to add that I've been working since I was 15. Started at taco bell making $6.75 then go into sales... Fcked up a lot and lost a alot along the way... It sure wasn't easy...there were times I couldn't even put gas in my car.. Now I've learned to save money for rainy days...